Boris Ursus

File:Tzar-Boris.JPG

Tzar Boris on Urskin

Boris Ursus is said to be one of the greatest leaders of Kislev ever. He was a fearsome and honorable leader, striding to battle atop his mighty bear, Urskin (bear-brother).

Boris was a devout follower of the bear god Ursun and had many names, including Boris Ursus, Radii Bokha and the Red Tzar. He took the throne from his father, Vladimir Bokha, on his death at the hands of a group of Goblins to the east of Kislev. The nation Boris inheritied had done little to recover from the great war against Chaos over 100 years before. He proceeded to nearly empty to royal coffers, rebuilding the land (roads, palaces etc.) and buying mercenaries to retrain his armed forces as well as importing black powder and engineers from the Empire.

Though it nearly bankrupted his family and several others with him, he would be remembered for his driving spirit and eagerness to reclaim the lands infested by Goblins, Trolls, Beastmen and other vile creatures. He also brought back the cult of the Ursun Bear, which had been overtaken by the worship of Ulric, Taal and other foreigners. He undertook himself, the test which all priests of Ursun must. He went into the forests to tame a bear. He was not heard from for 18 days and preparations began to put his daughter on the throne, Katarin, but search parties found his body being protected by a great white bear. The bear would not allow them past until Boris awoke, wounds still bleeding from viscious attacks by wolves.

It is said he found and confronted this beast, before being attacked by wolves. They worked together to beat off the wolves, but Boris was badly wounded in the process. Urskin noticed this and protected Boris until he was rescued. From then on, the bear was at his side at all time, and Boris rode him into battle, making use of the visciousness of his talons and claws.

Boris died in a battle against a force of Kurgans north of the Lynsk, deep in Troll Country, under Hetzar Feydaj. He charged into the army but was soon surrounded. They fought together for a long time, but were eventually overcome. Urskin proteced the dead body of Boris until he could escape, taking it back to the Kislev lines. It is said that Urskin still hunts down those who killed its master.

Sources

• Warhammer Armies: The Empire, 4th Edition.Baltimore: Games Workshop Ltd, 1996.
• Warhammer Armies: Kislev (6th Edition). 6th ed. A gathering of White Dwarf articles.